Distinguishing notes: Herb Ohta Jr. and Daniel Ho both have been prolific and versatile uke-strummers in recent years. Ohta mans a four-string KoAloha instrument, Ho plays a six-string KoAloha D-VI. Together, they go to town on largely familiar fare not usually restricted to the uke, including such Island classics as "Pua Lililehua," "Pua Hone," "Kanaka Waiwai" and "Hi'ilawe." For perhaps more visitor-oriented fare, they update "Aloha 'Oe," "E Ku'u Morning Dew," "Blue Hawai'i" and "I'll Remember You," along with middle-ground selections like "Maunaloa" and "Kauanoeanuhea" to appease the traditionalists. Whatever your level of expectation, Ohta and Ho never disappoint; their respective styles, while different, unify and bond, providing a rich and resourceful listening experience. The mood is mainly idyllic and relaxing.

The outlook: One can never have too many 'ukulele CDs; this one should find widespread approval.

Our take: Mellow, marvelous, mesmerizing — a meeting of two experts in collaboration yields a new "sound."

The Star BulletinSaturday July 23, 2005Island MeleReview By John Berger

The KoAloha Ukulele celebrates its 10th anniversary this summer and this beautiful new album couldn't come at a better time. Herb Ohta Jr., and Daniel Ho both have endorsement deals with the company and the album is a perfect demonstration of their instruments' capabilities.

The impact is heightened because Ohta plays a conventional four-string ukulele and Ho plays a custom-made six-string instrument. Ho isn't the first to play a six-string ukulele, but his doing so here adds range and textures to the arrangements.

Ho borrows an idea from Grammy Award-winning producer Charles Michael Brotman in isolating his playing on one side and Ohta's playing on the other. This increases the sense of enjoying a live performance by Ohta and Ho, and also gives serious students an opportunity to dissect their technique.